YouSaid · the spoken record

Alasania

lines on the record: 88
first: 2008-02-12
most recent: 2008-08-28
sittings or episodes: 7
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“And of course I must not fail to say that we cannot only highlight the South Ossetia conflict, with the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe there, and forget about the Abkhaz situation, as was voiced here by a few Security Council members: that attack on Upper Abkhazia was illegal, and we need to get representation by the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia up there as soon possible. I know that the Russian peacekeepers and the Abkhaz militia are against this, but we have to find the courage and willingness to persuade them that we need to have full observation in Upper Abkhazia as soon as possible, in order to start returning the internally displaced persons who were ethnically cleansed from there. Those are the points I wanted to share after colleagues voiced their concerns.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“We want this, and Georgia fully commits itself to collaborate and to help this fact-finding mission on the ground - from the United Nations, if that is the decision - to identify what kind of humanitarian catastrophe we are looking at. We want to have very accurate, impartial observation and reporting coming to the Security Council. That is the first thing. The other thing is this: it is evident that most of the Council members are condemning Russia's unilateral action. I think the valid thing would be to again reiterate the commitment of member States to the existing Security Council resolutions, which specifically set out full support for the territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“You will remember how authoritatively we were sounding the alarm that there was an imminent threat against Upper Abkhazia, Georgia, just a few months ago, and that infrastructure was being built by the Russian Federation precisely to accommodate their offensive military operation, namely the building of the railroad infrastructure which, as we were saying, was unfortunately used to occupy my country, to attack Upper Abkhazia and to ethnically cleanse Georgians from Upper Abkhazia. What I want to say now is that I do not want to get further involved in this word-fight here. What I want to ask everyone is to support the initiatives voiced here by members of the Security Council: first, to get as best we can, as soon as we can, a humanitarian fact-finding team on the ground.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I do not understand what the U-turn is about a few months after the statement made by the Russian President. So, clearly, this all was pre-planned. I think we should not judge the events starting from what happened in August. Just remember: a year ago, when in the Security Council we were cautioning and alerting members of the bombardments by the Russian Federation on Tsitelubani, very close to the vicinity of the South Ossetian conflict zone. Then, Council members, you will remember that insurgents, led by Russian Special Forces officers, were detained and neutralized by Georgian forces inside Abkhazia, Georgia.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“But less than nine months later they occupied it and barbarically exiled the democratically elected Government. I see this as truly reminiscent of the things - as I have mentioned in previous interventions - that are happening now in Georgia and the nature of the real intent of the Russian Federation during this military campaign against Georgia. In terms of the recognition of the principles of international law and the principle of territorial integrity, I clearly remember that just a few months ago, after Mr. Medvedev's election as President of the Russian Federation, he addressed the diplomatic corps on foreign policy issues. It was specifically mentioned that his country would continue to support this principle and that this was the most universal principle that its foreign policy should be based on.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I believe it is very clear that 90 per cent of the population of Georgia voted in the referendum on independence, with 61 per cent of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia also voting for the independence of Georgia from the Soviet Union. I understand that it is hard for some members of the Russian leadership to believe that the Soviet Union is dead. You can do nothing about it. As much as you wish it, you cannot resurrect the Soviet Union by recognizing parts of the State of Georgia. But, anyway, regarding the history of 1921, on which Mr. Churkin touched here, this is precisely another example of the twisting of historical facts by the Russian Federation, because in 1918 Georgian independence was declared - with Abkhazia and other parts of Georgian territory - and it was recognized by Russia itself.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I suppose that most members of the Security Council expected the Georgian representative to become emotional. However, today we see the representative of the Russian Federation becoming very emotional about the facts, about the legal analysis and about the consequences of this meeting. I would like to say that I feel that he is a very honest man who does not really feel comfortable with the arguments supplied to him from his capital to respond to the arguments of the majority of the members of the Council. Those arguments were only intended to denounce as illegitimate the actions carried out by the Russian Federation. I shall start by briefly referring to history, because my colleague mentioned a lot of history. First, all the historic and legal analyses are set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“These bleak prospects are all the more unfortunate given the region's, and particularly Georgia's, recent political and economic progress. Georgia has been invaded and is occupied, but my nation is not conquered. We will repair the damaged infrastructure. We will rebuild the economy, we will solidify democracy and we will find the way, as we have done throughout millennia of history, towards peaceful coexistence of Georgians, Ossetians and all other members of the multi-ethnic community of my ancient country.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“However, this unacceptable and unjustifiable act of recognition further enflames an already difficult situation. Russia's self-destructive act contradicts the very principle of territorial integrity upon which the modern State depends for its existence. There is no place in today's world for attempting to redraw boundaries of our modern international order. It is brutally evident that today we are dealing with a Russian-Georgian conflict instigated by Russian territorial ambitions against my country. The present situation and wars that took place in recent memory, and common sense, suggest that, unless confronted by the international community, Russian policies will eventually force a military confrontation elsewhere.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“The Russian Federation has to withdraw its forces from Georgian territory to the pre-conflict locations. Along with the full respect for territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, which cannot be questioned, Georgia stands ready to accommodate any legitimate security concerns that Abkhaz and Ossetian populations of Georgia may have, through direct dialogue and unbiased international mediation. In conclusion, I would like to state the following. First and foremost, this step by the Russian Federation has no international legal consequence; it has no impact on the internationally established borders of Georgia and will not change in any way the international community's stand on the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Georgia.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“The Russian Federation has disregarded its commitments with respect to the six-point ceasefire plan that was agreed through the mediation of the European Union presidency - France - and particularly through President Sarkozy's personal efforts. Russia has failed to comply with the provision in this plan to withdraw its forces, as was very evident today from the Secretariat briefing, and it has predetermined for itself the outcome of the international talks for lasting security and stability that were required by the agreed peace accord. Russia continues to occupy territory of Georgia, ensuring maximum damage to the stability and the economy of my country. For our part, we are complying with the ceasefire agreement and fully commit ourselves to it. We demand the same action from the other parties to the conflict.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“We are addressing the Security Council and the Secretary-General and urge you to act, and act promptly, to determine the humanitarian situation on the ground, to further relieve the plight - brought on by aggression - of the people living in these regions and to ensure the maximum participation of the United Nations and other organizations in the process. All allegations of mass atrocities must be verified and addressed through appropriate and credible human rights institutions. Many have expressed the willingness to help ease the consequences of the war for the people who have suffered most. Unfortunately, however, the Russian Federation has directly blocked the delivery of and access to humanitarian aid.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I would like to remind the members of the Council that Georgians will no longer be seen in these regions as a result of brutal and forcible displacement. The people responsible for these actions - the self- proclaimed governors of these territories - are widely welcomed in the corridors of the Kremlin and applauded with cheers in the chambers of Russian legislative bodies. That brings us to the new reality in which the Russian Federation has used its peacekeeping shield to occupy the sovereign, independent State of Georgia and completely cleanse ethnically Georgian citizens from the separatist areas. As has happened before, the few civilians who have remained in those regions have been given Russian passports, in violation of international law and norms, which makes a mockery of the principle of the right to protect.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Those who have stayed behind are exposed to constant fear of insecurity and poverty and, most shocking, possible execution just for being Georgian. We hear constantly from both separatist regimes that they will not allow the ethnically Georgian population to return to their homes. The regimes' declarations are implemented by their paramilitary gangs, which are continuously destroying houses and property belonging to ethnic Georgians. Those actions are part of a systematic plan to ethnically cleanse Georgians from the Tskhinvali region, as previously happened in Akhazia. 08-49297 The recognition of the separatist regimes by the Russian Federation constitutes nothing less than full and unequivocal support for the separatist insurgents, who are the direct perpetrators of ethnic cleansing.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Russia is moving forward, altering the post-1991 borders, with unpredictable implications for the wider region, whereas, according to Russia's perception, most of those borders are challengeable and are now being challenged. Several hundred thousand people of various ethnic origins are suffering from a humanitarian disaster in the wake of the conflict in Abkhazia, Georgia. That has now been replicated in the Tskhinvali region, where more than 150,000 people have become IDPs and refilgees owing to the recent military intervention of the Russian Federation and its militias. The overwhelming majority of those Georgian citizens are being subjected to unbearable suffering and to deprivation of their fundamental human rights and freedoms. Denied access to their homes, they are being forced to live in exile.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“The Georgian side has warned the international community of that country's real intentions numerous times. The Russian Federation can finally come out of the shadows of surrounding the long war that has been carried out against Georgia since our independence. Russia has clearly identified itself as a party to the conflicts in Georgia. We are witnessing the results of the Russian Federation's policy of territorial expansion. That expansion is being carried out at the expense of another State's territorial integrity, in complete disregard of international law and the lives and aspirations of hundreds of thousands of Georgia's citizens.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“That ethnic cleansing was confirmed and recognized at the summits of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe held in 1994, 1996 and 1998 and in Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. The results of the plebiscite held on 28 November 1996 indicate that an absolute majority - 99 per cent - of the internally displaced persons from Abkhazia unanimously support the determination of the territory's status only in the event that territorial integrity is restored. From the very beginning, the Russian Federation, after instigating those conflicts almost two decades ago, has dominated the peacekeeping and negotiation processes in both breakaway regions of Georgia. Through its participation, the Russian Federation has ensured that no tangible results have been achieved and no progress made possible in those negotiations.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“Therefore, all claims by the Russian Federation that Georgia's international legal status was defined in disregard of the will of the Abkhaz and Ossetian people are absolutely groundless. The 1991 referendum was held throughout the territory of Georgia, including in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which implies that those national minorities were also involved in the process. The destiny of a concrete territory can be decided only by its indigenous population, and the indigenous population of the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia is composed not only of those who survived the ethnic cleansing and now remain and live in the territory of Abkhazia, but also of all the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees who became the targets of brutal ethnic cleansing and persecution.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“In the process of gaining independence from the colonial regime of the Soviet Union, all ethnic groups of the Georgian population, which took part in the referendum on 31 March 1991, voted in favour of the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity and independence on the basis of the Independence Act of 26 May 1918, which represented, inter alia, the freely expressed will of the population to live in an independent State. The international community - including the Russian Federation, by the way - confirmed the democratic character of the referendum by recognizing Georgia's independence. The referendum involved more than 90 per cent of the population, 99 per cent of whom voted in favour of Georgia's independence.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“We appreciate that unanimous support, and we believe that the Russian side should be sent a very strong message. Otherwise, it would mean that foreign sponsored groups around the world could use violence and ethnic cleansing to achieve their ends and be rewarded with independence. I am sure that the Russian side, after its military aggression and against invasion of a sovereign State, will cynically appeal to the same universally accepted principles and norms to which I have referred. But we are accustomed to the fact that the Russian Federation puts its own spin on the facts. Despite that, I would like the Council to focus on what brought us to the situation that we are witnessing today.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“The unilateral declaration of independence and its recognition are incompatible with the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, which clearly specified the principles of the inviolability of the frontiers and the territorial integrity of States and allowed changes to State frontiers only in accordance with international law, by peaceful means and as the result of an agreement. After all, these acts are manifestly illegal and irrelevant by virtue of their unilateral nature. Any State, any subject of international law, any responsible actor in international relations must show valour in the face of Russian pressure, to which they will definitely be subjected. The international community has already expressed and continues to express its strong condemnation with regard to the measures Russia has taken.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“The Russian Federation's decision to formally recognize the independence of Georgia's breakaway regions is a breach of the fundamental norms and principles of international law regarding the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of State frontiers. Russia's actions directly contradict all the resolutions on Georgia adopted by the Security Council, and Russia, as a member of the Council, has consistently reaffirmed the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“By recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the Russian Federation is violating and violated the principles of the equal rights of self- determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of another State and respect for human rights and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Helsinki Final Act, which constitute the foundational principles of international law. Russia acted in contravention of the principles and values that the Organization was designed to protect in order to ensure the independence and integrity of its Members.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“First of all, I should like to express my appreciation for the convening of this meeting. I should also like to extend my thanks to the representatives of the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for their briefings. My request to the President of the Security Council was forced by the illegal, unilateral actions of 3 the Russian Federation with regard to two Georgia provinces, namely, Abkhazia, Georgia, and South Ossetia, Georgia. On 26 August 2008, the President of Russia, Mr. Medvedev, made a statement on the recognition of the independence of the so-called republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, created on the territories occupied by the Russian forces.”
2008-08-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5969 (2008) · source
“I could not really get a sense, regarding the very important issue on which we are gathered here today, whether the Russian Federation is intending to comply with the agreement reached by the French presidency of the European Union, to ceasefire and to end the occupation of the sovereign State of Georgia. This is a very simple question, but I really felt deliberate ambiguity in the 14 answers provided by the Russian Federation's Permanent Representative. And by refusing to support the French-sponsored draft resolution, does that in effect mean that they are refusing to ceasefire in Georgia?”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“I have a very simple question, but before posing that question I want to say that the representative of the Russian Federation referred to the massive humanitarian intervention, of a kind that had not been seen before, which they are performing in Georgia. I just want to assure Mr. Churkin that the face of the Russian humanitarian efforts is well shown by the facts on the ground, by the destruction and the killings, and that it has been well reported by international observers, human rights observers and the international media, so I will not elaborate more on that. The simple question is this.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Having described the ravaged situation in Georgia, I am still looking forward to creating certain conditions that will only be possible after the occupation of Georgia, when it will be possible to discuss the rebuilding of severely damaged Georgian- Russian relations. We appeal to the Council to act - and act decisively.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“We demand the same actions from the other party to the conflict. The Russian Federation has to withdraw its forces to the pre-conflict locations. Along with full respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders, which cannot be questioned, the ceasefire has to be backed with a subsequent Security Council resolution. Georgia stands ready to accommodate any legitimate security concerns that the Abkhaz, Georgian and Ossetian population of Georgia might have through direct dialogue and truly international negotiations.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian troops have invaded an independent country and have settled themselves on our territory. Towns and villages are bombed; peaceful citizens are robbed, tortured and killed; and the victims are numerous. Thousands of people are left homeless. Under the aegis of the so-called unilateral peace enforcement operation, Russian troops are annexing an independent country. The transport infrastructure of the country is paralysed. After these barbaric actions from the Russian side, no arrangements in which Russia is perceived as a mediator or guarantor will be acceptable to the Georgian people. Georgia once again adhered to the principles agreed through the European Union presidency and President Sarkozy's mediation. We are complying with the ceasefire agreement reached and fully commit ourselves to it.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian armed forces attacked the Borjomi Forest Park, a unique 1,000-year-old Georgian heritage site. Even further, Russians refused to grant access to firefighting aircraft and vehicles to put out the fire. I would like to thank the countries, United Nations entities and non-governmental organizations that have stepped forward and are providing much- needed help to citizens of my country. Humanitarian efforts are not as successful as they could be because United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations have no access to the conflict zones because of the Russian refusal to provide access to the occupied territories. We urge everyone to exercise their utmost powers to ensure that humanitarian help and relief will be provided to those in need without any impediment.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“As a consequence, ethnic Georgians are forced to flee their homes and seek shelter in cities under the control of the Georgian authorities. More than 150,000 citizens of Georgia are displaced. I quote Human Rights Watch: "The remaining residents of these destroyed ethnic Georgian villages are facing desperate conditions, with no means of survival, no help, no protection, and nowhere to go". The Moscow-backed, self-proclaimed Mr. Kokoity, has declared that the de facto South Ossetian authorities will not allow the Georgian population to return to their homes. As was reported and affirmed by Tskhinvali authorities, they have burned down the houses of ethnic Georgians to ensure that the Georgians will not have places to return to. Russia's aggressive actions have no boundaries.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Sixty-nine of them were civilians; 133 of those killed were Georgian Ministry of Defence personnel, including four servicemen from the reserve troops, and 13 were from the Ministry of the Interior. Over 1,469 have been injured, and 446 of those remain in hospitals; according to reports, that toll will increase. The Government of Georgia regrets the human losses in all communities of Georgia. Our deepest sympathies go to the families of the deceased victims of this brutal, provocative war. I would like to focus attention on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Georgia in the territories occupied by the Russian armed forces. Moscow has decisively chosen ethnic cleansing as an instrument for achieving its political aims. Ethnically based robberies, persecution and slaughter are reported from the Russian-occupied territories.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Russian militaries are conducting raids in various parts of Georgia and keeping the population under constant threat and in constant terror. The population is in fear that the next destroyed city will be theirs. All of that is aimed at destroying Georgia as a sovereign independent State and is in contravention of the commitments undertaken by the Russian side to stop the violence and withdraw. Through its aggression, Russia threatens the freedom and ability of Georgia and other emerging democracies throughout Eurasia to build political, legal and judicial systems without fear of external threats or domination. The total number of people killed in the armed conflict reached 250 on the Georgian side as of 19 August.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Roads, bridges, railway tracks and other Georgian communications infrastructure have become targets of the Russian armed forces. Russian forces continue their attacks on Georgian seaports, oil refineries and terminals. Russian naval forces are blocking Georgian seaports and have destroyed vessels of the Georgian coast guard. In addition to that, Georgian came under a cyber attack from the Russian side, causing a shut-down of Georgian information sources for the rest of the world. Moreover, Russian forces have completely destroyed and looted Georgian military bases in Senaki and Gori, and now are proceeding towards the Sachkhere mountain training centre. Russia is continuously conducting reconnaissance flights in sovereign Georgian airspace. Looting, destruction and murder have become commonplace.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. In my previous addresses to the Council, we asked this body to act swiftly to stop the aggression that my country was facing. Unfortunately, the state of affairs in Georgia has not changed, despite the ceasefire agreement reached a few days ago. The Russian side continues to violate agreed ceasefire arrangements. At the moment, the entire territory of Abkhazia, Georgia, and South Ossetia, Georgia, together with the cities of Zugdidi, Senaki and Poti in western Georgia and Gori and Kaspi in eastern Georgia, are under Russian occupation. Georgia is occupied by Russian military forces, forces that are determined to devastate my country. Their actions have crossed all imaginable boundaries of common sense.”
2008-08-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5961 (2008) · source
“I would like to make a brief comment. As I heard Ambassador Churkin talking, the question asked and the answer that was received, for me, confirm that what the Russian Federation is seeking through this military aggression and invasion is to change the democratically elected Georgian Government. But I really want to seek more clarification, as was just requested by our colleague from the United States, from the representative of the Russian Federation.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Since when can a neighbouring country use strategic bombers and 24-hour non-stop indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets be called a support of a peace operation? What are the grounds for Russia doing something like this? My region is familiar with Russian-style peace enforcement. We have seen it twice in my neighbourhood. When the Republic of Chechnya in the north Caucasus was erased from the face of the Earth, we turned a blind eye. We cannot do that now because that is exactly Russia's intention: to erase Georgian statehood and to exterminate the Georgian people. Unless we act together now, that is not going to be stopped. I urgently call for the Council to take action today, as was proposed by the majority of Security Council members.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“First of all, let me express our gratitude towards the majority - the near- totality - of the members of the Security Council for their observations. I also want to express our appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General for their observations and their briefings. For a moment, I thought that Mr. Churkin did not hear what the briefers were saying, but then I just found everything quite logical, because all that we were hearing here from the Russian Federation is reminiscent of the statements and propaganda by the Soviet Union when it invaded Afghanistan, Prague and Budapest. The statements were not only based on false information; they were cynical, outrageous and inhuman.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“All Georgian troops have been withdrawn from the conflict zone, and the Georgian side has opened a humanitarian corridor south of Tskhinvali to allow the peaceful population and the wounded peaceful population to leave the conflict zone. During the ceasefire, Georgian forces have been bombed many times and prevented from making a full withdrawal. Georgia calls upon this institution, the highest legitimate international authority in the world, for an immediate diplomatic and humanitarian intervention to protect Georgia from the ongoing Russian aggression and occupation. We should all act immediately to prevent further loss of human life.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“The question is being asked whether Russia is trying to replace the Security Council, when in reality it is an aggressor in this conflict. As has been stated here, the Georgian leadership reached out overnight to the Russian political leadership. Unfortunately, the President of the Russian Federation refused to directly engage with his Georgian counterpart in dialogue. In order to visibly demonstrate the seriousness of our ceasefire offer, the Georgian Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Tbilisi, as indicated here, conveyed a note verbale to the envoy of the Russian Federation indicating that the President of Georgia had issued a declaration to cease all military activities in South Ossetia.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“We strongly urge all members of the Security Council to advise the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) to find a way to resume its monitoring of Upper Abkhazia, because that is the only way to save the civilian population there. As stated numerous times yesterday by the Russian leadership and in diplomatic circles, it appears that Russia has its own justification for an all-out invasion. First, we have heard repeatedly that the Georgian side violated agreements. From the same point of departure, the Russian assertion is that they are engaging in peacemaking, or so-called peace enforcement. That is truly in the category of absurdity and nonsense. The actions of the Russian side have no foundation, either in existing agreements or in international law.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Russian planes have bombed the villages of Avadhara and Bilisi, in Upper Abkhazia. There are signs that the attacks will continue, and, as noted by the Secretariat, the claims made by the de facto Abkhaz authorities have been translated into reality. The Russian air force has bombarded Chkhalta, the administrative centre of Abkhazia. Four thousand Russian troops from Sebastopol have landed at the port of Ochamchira, on the Black Sea. All of this means that Russia is continuing its full-scale offensive. As a result of deliberate inaction on the part of the Russian peacekeeping forces, a military unit has passed through the conflict zone, as has already been stated here. That fact was confirmed today by the Secretariat. The population of the Upper Kodori Valley is facing an imminent threat.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“The port of Poti, located on the coast of the Black Sea 360 kilometres west of Tbilisi- which is, of course, outside the conflict zone - has been heavily bombed. The Russian navy has prevented a humanitarian cargo ship carrying wheat from entering the Poti port; the ship was forced to go back. Other Russian battleships have been deployed in order to enforce the blockade against Georgia. One of the pilots detained has testified that pilots in general have been instructed to carry out an unlimited number of overflights and indiscriminate bombardment, which clearly reflect elements of war crimes. Russia is forcing Abkhaz separatists into the conflict, compelling them to open up another warfront, as described by the Secretariat. Attacks on Uta confirm that they are seriously preparing for an assault on Kodori.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“Villages in my country, most of them located well outside either zone of conflict, have been attacked several times. Three bombs have been dropped on the aviation plant in Tbilisi; as a result, it has been totally destroyed. The airfield located in western Georgia, at Kopitnari, has also been attacked. Russian jets have attacked Zugdidi. In addition, Gachiani, in the Gardabani district, 20 kilometres south-west of the capital and also outside the conflict zone, has been bombed; it is close to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The Russian air force continues to bomb Gori, located 60 kilometres north-west of Tbilisi. The city of Oni, in the western part of the country, has been bombed several times.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“For the past 12 hours, the inhuman and indiscriminate aerial bombardment of Georgian territory has continued. The scale of the devastating destruction and loss of innocent life has yet to be assessed. An armed invasion by Russian ground troops has already been transformed into a full-scale occupation of parts of Georgian territory. The process of exterminating the Georgian population and annihilating Georgian statehood is in full swing: a 6,000-strong Russian occupying force with 100 tanks, 115 armoured military vehicles and 300 mortars has entered the Tskhinvali region from the Russian Federation. A Russian regular military unit comprising 4,000 servicemen has been deployed in Ochamchir, a city close to the Upper Kodori that is under the control of the Abkhaz separatist regime.”
2008-08-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5953 (2008) · source
“First of all, I would like to address one question to my colleague, Ambassador Churkin: Are you ready to stop the fighter jets that are in the air, which will soon be bombing my comrades in Georgia? What will the Security Council do about this now? How are we going to address this? We all know that those bombers are in the air and that they are about to bomb the civilian population indiscriminately, as they have been doing for an entire 24 hours. What are we going to do? That is my question to Council members.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“This is a matter of great concern, and it has been discussed numerous times at the Security Council. Unfortunately, there was a strong statement from Security Council members, but the decision was never reversed. We are seeing today the methodical occupation and invasion of Georgian territory, which has occurred over these past months. We have to react, together with the Security Council. As I mentioned, Georgia stands ready to cooperate when the international community, international observers, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union - and the United Nations, of course - to facilitate this kind of ceasefire and to be bound by it.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“In response, when I made a statement that Georgian authorities never targeted the Russian Federation's peacekeepers, that means that we never targeted the peacekeepers. Those who were targeted were mercenaries from the Russian Federation and also those who were actually shooting at and shelling Georgian positions and the Georgian civilian population. But, as I mentioned, it is true - and members can verify this through their own sources back in Georgia - that Georgia never targeted the peacekeepers on the ground. Now, in terms of ethnic cleansing, yes, I was appalled and again, I want to reiterate that we do not want to go into too many details today because there is an urgent need to stop the violence today - at the Russian Federation President's decisions to legitimize the separatist regimes, who were perpetrators of ethnic cleansing.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“I truly hope that most, if not all, Council members will agree with this and will make judgements based on the information that was produced today by the Georgian side and by members of the Security Council.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source
“I understand that the Russian Federation is a permanent member of the Security Council, but the facts that I presented to Council members today and credible media reports - not the reports of the propaganda media of the Russian Federation, which use exactly the wording that is familiar from that representative's remarks, but credible reports - are saying that we are at war. I understand that the Russian Federation is a permanent member. It is very hard to counter or oppose a permanent member in the Security Council. But what I ask of the Council is a very solid statement to the Government of the Russian Federation, as well as to the opposing parties, that these kinds of actions should stop. The bombardment of the sovereign territory of Georgia should stop, and we call for an immediate ceasefire.”
2008-08-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5952 (2008) · source